Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Firefighters Gagged

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Firefighters Gagged: Firefighters Gagged FDNY: ‘Never Speak Against the Family’ (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 30- The fir...

Firefighters Gagged

Firefighters Gagged

FDNY: ‘Never Speak Against the Family’

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 30- The fire lines at an emergency are no longer the only barriers that separate New York's Bravest from the general public as a new policy regarding social media is now preventing journalists from photographing firefighters in their off-hours.

For ages it has been the New York City Police Department that has been accused of holding the media at bay, but the new fire department policy is now preventing journalist from coming into the firehouse and photographing members participating in the most basic human tasks-- like standing around a Christmas tree.

After photographing members of Squad 61 purchasing a Christmas tree along E. Tremont Avenue, this journalist sent a request to the FDNY's public information office on December 17 asking for permission to photograph members around their decorated tree.

A follow-up call prompted no response from the department.

Having visited firehouses for over a decade and having been welcomed into houses and have watched firefighters treat members of the media and public almost like family, it was a surprise walking into the squad.

Your first greeted into Squad 61 by a sign in bold block letters that reads, "Never speak against the family in public."

A captain at the company blamed the lack of hospitality on the FDNY's new policy regarding social-media, adding, "They’re looking for someone to make an example of."

One firefighter stated he didn't mind the policy while a second fireman offered, "That's what you get when you get a newbie half-naked in bunker pants," referring to a New York Post article on a probationary firefighter reprimanded for a racy photo posted on the Internet, while partially in uniform. 

A source with the Uniformed Firefighters Association who declined to be identified, stated, "It's not a new policy, it's a policy that has been in place for decades... you've always needed permission from the department to get in."

The source then asked when the request was made, before offering, "I don't know I don't work down there."

The source then added, "I don't understand this story and why this story, I think it was in the Post, was news because this has been the policy that goes back at least into the last decade and related to your individual request, unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you."   

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Chipolte, Cheesecake Factory could be coming to Ba...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Chipolte, Cheesecake Factory could be coming to Ba...: Chipolte, Cheesecake Factory could be coming to Bay Plaza? By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 29- A spokesman for the develope...

Chipolte, Cheesecake Factory could be coming to Bay Plaza?

Chipolte, Cheesecake Factory could be coming to Bay Plaza?

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 29- A spokesman for the developer of the Bay Plaza shopping center said, this week, that plans for the new mall that is reportedly coming to Co-op City by mid-August, call for a food court with up to 10 small eateries and two full-scale restaurants to be among the 80 to 90 stores at the new mall.

Michael Stone, a vice president of Prestige Properties, said that the food court that is planned would be an upscale version of the food courts that are found in other parts of the Bronx.

Current eateries in the Bay Plaza shopping center include outlets of Red Lobster and Panera Bread, two of the best restaurants in the Co-op City area.

Sit-down eateries that the developers of Bay Plaza have approached for leases have included the Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano's Little Italy, Brio Tuscan Grille, and Texas de Brazil, the New York Times has reported.

Fast-food restaurants that have considered leasing space at the Bay Plaza food court that is envisioned include Bobby's Burger Place and the Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Macy 's and JC Penney will be the anchors of the combined Bay Plaza mall, which will span more than two million square feet and be totally enclosed when it is completed. JC Penney is the anchor store of the current Bay Plaza shopping center.

The plans for the new mall call for JC Penney to be at its northern end and Macy's to be at its southern end.

###

Developer says new mall will be something very special

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 29- A spokesman for the Bay Plaza shopping center said, this week, that he expected the long-awaited new wing of the sprawling shopping area to open by the middle of August.

Michael Stone, a vice president of Prestige Properties LLC, said, this week, that the 780,000-square-foot extension of Bay Plaza is “about two-thirds completed.”

Stone added, “The new Macy's, which will be an anchor store for Bay Plaza's new, enclosed mall and comprise 160,000 square feet on its own, is under construction as we now speak.”

The 780,000-square foot extension of Bay Plaza will mean that the shopping center, which is on the outskirts of Co-op City, will

comprise close to two million square feet.

The price tag for the extension of the Bay Plaza mall is expected to approach $300 million. The enclosed portion of the mall will be home to 80 to 90 stores, Stone said.

The new mall is expected to create 1,700 permanent jobs. And to have parking for up 2,300 cars.

The extension of Bay Plaza's new wing will be connected to the

existing JC Penney store at Bay Plaza.

In recent months, those living in Co-op City and those driving by the community have seen the new wing of the shopping center rising on its southern end of the Bay Plaza shopping center.

The shopping center's developers and elected officials have stressed that the impending of Bay Plaza's new wing is an exciting development for the Bronx and Westchester.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., among others, have touted the development of Bay Plaza's new wing as a sign of progress in the Bronx and in the city as a whole.

Bay Plaza, which first opened in the mid-1980s and spans 1,300 square feet, is already the largest mall in the Bronx.

When the new mall is completed, it will be attached to the current shopping center. The entire mall will be enclosed, making it the first mall of this kind in the Bronx.

“We are talking to all the major chains about coming to Bay Plaza,” Sam Shalem, CEO of Prestige Properties has stressed. “This is just the kind of suburban mall this area needs.”

Shalem said that he is confident that the enlarged mall will have

major appeal to the more than four million people who live in close proximity to Co-op City.

Shalem added that he expected the new shopping center to attract those living in Westchester and southern Connecticut, as well as those living in neighborhoods through the Bronx.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Islanders Gear Up for Showdown with Rangers in the...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Islanders Gear Up for Showdown with Rangers in the...: Islanders Gear Up for Showdown with Rangers in the Bx. By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 29- The New York Islanders made ...

Islanders Gear Up for Showdown with Rangers in the Bx.

Islanders Gear Up for Showdown with Rangers in the Bx.

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 29- The New York Islanders made their first visit to Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon for a practice session on the ice and to experience the aura of Yankee Stadium. 

The words of the players were similar both towards the seriousness of the Wednesday night contest against the Rangers, the opportunity to play outdoors as they did as youngsters and of the awe-inspiring atmosphere of Yankee Stadium. This article will document only the views of captain John Tavares and assistants Kyle Osposo and Andrew McDonald as they are representative of the others on the team.

All here reminisced of playing outdoors when they were children. Kyle Osposo had the opportunity in his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. He recalled, “I played outdoors a couple of blocks from my house.” Used to cold weather, he said, “I will wear a turtleneck, nothing else [extra].”

The two Canadians expressed similar memories. John Tavares remembered, “In Ontario, I played a lot outside. Growing up playing outside was a lot of fun.” He felt the memories come back 100 percent while on the Yankee Stadium rink, “Feeling the air and hearing the sound of the puck.”

Andrew McDonald only felt the cold affect his ears and his toes. Of his childhood hockey experience, he stated, “This is where it all started. [We had] random ice patches, not a real rink.”

Being in a historic venue that houses an organization that considers great success a normal expectation every season had meaning to all. The American [Oksposo] seemed most familiar with Yankee attitude, “I have a ton of respect for the Yankees. To have an attitude of winning at all costs is a terrific way to run a business, an organization. When you come out there and it’s Yankee Stadium, it’s pretty cool. It’s awesome.”

McDonald described his feelings coming out on the field and anticipated how special Wednesday night’s game will be for the players, “You can feel the history of the Yankees team when you walk out of the dugout and see the Stadium. The Yankees are the most recognizable team in the world. I’m really looking forward to it [the game on Wednesday], being in the elements surrounded by 50,000 people. The ice will seem a little small compared to [the size of] the Stadium. It’s a very special experience. The fans will really enjoy it. The players will really enjoy it.” 

Tavares, a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays, was nonetheless impressed by the facilities in the Stadium, “They did a great job here. It’s unique. It’s going to be fun.” The team captain had a great experience at Tuesday’s practice, “It was really a great day. My family was here with me.” The players skated on the ice with family and friends after the practice concluded.

The importance of the result of every game to the islanders is huge. They are in last place in the Metropolitan Division, nine points behind the second place Rangers. A victory in each forthcoming contest is a necessity for them to qualify for the playoffs. Every player, the coach and all of their fans recognize this truth.

McDonald commented, “These are important two points. We’re going to be prepared,”

Tavares optimistically remarked, “There’s still a lot of hockey to be played. We know we have to play a lot better.”

Osposo spoke of the uniqueness of each contest, “Once the puck drops, it’s another game.”

The second highly anticipated and final outdoor game in New York City will be played before a sold out crowd of 50,000 fans on Wednesday night. It will be another great day in NHL and New York sports history.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jaspers Edged by Bobcats

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jaspers Edged by Bobcats: Jaspers Edged by Bobcats By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 27- Quinnipiac (12-7, 7-3), which joined the MAAC this season, defe...